Sump pump



Oct. 16, 1956 Filed Nov. 14, 1952 K. R. LUNG SUMP PUMP 2 Sheets-Sheet l JNVENTOR.

KENNETH R. LUNG BYFMLM ZKM ATTORNEYS K. R. LUNG SUMP PUMP Oct. 16, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 14, 1952 FIG-2 FIG -4 INVENTOR. KENNETH R. LUNG BY Q -r W 0 ATTORNEYS United States Patent SUMP PUMP Kenneth R. Lung, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The Tait Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Ohio Application November 14, 1952, Serial No. 320,392

2 Claims. (Cl. 103-87) This invention relates to pumps, particularly to sump pumps or drain pumps and most especially to anamproved construction of such a pump which results in a lighter more economical pump having improved operating characteristics.

A particular object of the present invention is the provision of a construction of sump pumps and the like which is less expensive than conventional type pumps of this nature.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of the combination of a centrifugal pump and a pedestal thereon for supporting a drive motor in which the pump and pedestal are inexpensively constructed thereby leading to a less expensive assembly.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a very simply constructed pump arrangement especially adapted for sump pump installations.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an improved driving arrangement for driving a centrifugal pump impeller by a motor mounted on a pedestal leading from the pump.

A still further particular object of this invention is the provision of a novel arrangement for lubricating the bearing in a centrifugal type pump having a pedestal leading upwardly therefrom on which the drive motor for the pump is mounted.

These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent upon reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a sump pump according to my invention including the pedestal extending upwardly from the pump proper and the motor mounted on the upper end of the pedestal;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the pump and pedestal;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view showing the construction of the pump bearing according to my invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the pedestal is constructed as well as the novel clamp by means of which the pedestal is clamped to the pump and motor; and

Figure 5 is a sectional view indicated by line 5-5 on Figure 3 showing the manner in which the drive tube between the motor and pump is drivingly connected with the pump and motor shafts.

Referring to the drawings somewhat more in detail, a sump pump according to my invention comprises an assembly consisting of a relatively simple centrifugal pump extending upwardly from which is a tubular pedestal 12 on the upper end of which is mounted a drive motor 14, the output shaft of which is connected with the drive shaft for the pump by a tube 16.

A switch 18 controls the energization of motor 14 and the said switch is adapted for being moved between its open and closed positions by a rod 20 having a float 22 on the lower end thereof. The provision of float con- 2,766,696 Patented Get. 16, 1956 trolled rod 22 makes the sump pump assembly. responsive to water level in the conventional manner.

Referring more particularly to pump 10, this element of the combination comprises a housing casting 24 having recess 26 therein in which the pump impeller 28 is mounted. Pump impeller 28 comprises a back plate arranged in spaced relation with the closed side of recess 26 and vanes 30 upstanding from the said back plate whereby a pump chamber is defined.

The periphery of recess 26 is provided with an outlet port 32 which may be connected by a suitable pipe to a drain. The open face of recess 26 is closed by the plate 34 bolted to casting 24 by cap screws 36 and havinga downwardly turned periphery 38 so that the member 34 also serves as a supporting base for the sump pump assembly.

Casting 24 comprises one or more inlet openings 40 leading to the central conical recess 42 in casting 24 which forms the inlet chamber for the pump.

For preventing foreign matter from entering the pump,

the casting 24 is provided with an annular axial surface 44 on which there is mounted the dome-shaped perforated strainer 46. The casting 24 includes an inwardly extending cylindrical boss 50 which is closely received within the lower end of the tubular pedestal 12. The central portion of the strainer 46 includes a downwardly turned flange 51 which closely embraces the upper surface of the pedestal 12, and the lower rim of the strainer similarly embraces the surface portion 44 of the casting 24.

A preferred manner of forming pedestal 12 is to roll it from a sheet of metal as is best indicated in Figure 4. This permits more inexpensive construction of the element than could be provided by making the pedestal from tubing, and also permits the said element to be formed somewhat under-size whereby it will be a close fit about upstanding portion 50 of casting 24 without requiring any expensive and close machine work.

Pedestal 12 is adapted for being clamped about portion 50 by a clamp 52, also best seen in Figure 4 and which consists of a strip of metal formed to a circular configuration and having tabs 54 turned out on opposite edges of the radial portions 56 through which the clamp bolt 58 extends. The illustrated construction provides a very simple clamping strap but one which is extremely strong so that the connection between pedestal or col-v umn 12 and the casting 24 is absolutely rigid. At the same time, this clamped connection is enclosed within the strainer 46 for protection against foreign matter, and also the strainer can be raised by sliding its flange portion 51 upwardly along pedestal 12 to expose clamp 52 for release and access to the interior of the pump.

At its upper end pedestal 12 engages a cylindrical boss 60 on the frame of motor 14 in the same manner as it engages cylindrical projection 50 on casting 24 and is clamped to the boss 60 of the motor by a clamping element 52 identical with the one already described.

According to the present invention the tube 16 forms the driving connection between output shaft 62 of motor 14 and the drive shaft 64 of the pump. Heretofore solid shafting was employed for making this drive connection and this required couplings at either one or both ends of the pedestal and also required that the shafting withing the pedestal be formed of stainless steel or some other non-corrosive metal.

According to the present invention, tube 16 is formed of brass and consists of an element round in cross section, but having its end parts formed inwardly to provide flats at 66 which engage corresponding flats provided on the shafts 62 and 64 whereby the motor and pump are drivingly connected.

Turning again to the pump structure, the cylindrical projection 50 on casting 24 is centrally axially bored to receive the bearing 68 which is preferably of the selfoiling type. Bearing 68 receives shaft 64 and between the lower end of bearing 68 and the hub of pump impeller 28 is the thrust absorbing arrangement 70.

At the upper end of bearing 63 a similar thrust absorbing washer arrangement 72 is provided and is urged downwardly against bearing 68 by compression spring 74, the upper end of which bears underneath washer 76 retained in position on shaft 64by snap ring 78.

Intermediate its length the bore in casting 24 for receiving bearing 68 is provided with an annular recess 80 which is provided principally for lightening the casting and simplifying the boring of the hole for the bearing but which can also serve to receive a lubricant for maintaining bearing 68 lubricated for-along period of time.

Means maybe provided "for further supplying lubricant to bearing '68, and for supplying lubricant there'through to chamber 88 in the form of a channel 82 leadingfrom the surface 'of'bearing '68 into shaft64, and then upwardly on the axis thereof to the end of the shaft so as to communicate with the interior of tube 16.

Tube 16 is then provided with an aperture 84 adjacent its upper end into which a lubricant Such as oil can be introduced by'availing'of aperture'86in pedestal '48.

'Fromthe foregoing it will be appreciated'that what is provided by'my invention is an inexpensive light simple pump assembly'utilizingthe fewest number of parts and with the parts being relatively simply formed so that the end'result'is a structure whichhas long life and can easily be'repaired if necessary'a'nd which is inexpensive.

The feature of my invention 'ofproviding thrust support for pump shaft 64 on opposite sides of bearing 68, and with one of the thrustbearings being resilient, supports the pump impeller firmly so that it will operate quietly and efiiciently at all times.

It will be understood-that this invention is susceptible to modification in order to adapt it to different usages and conditions, and, accordingly, it is desired to comprehendsuch modifications within this invention'as may fall within'the scope'of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a sump pump having a drive motor with a cylindrical boss depending therefrom and a pump with a cylindrical boss extending therefrom, a drive element drivingly connecting said motor with said pump, means rigidly interconnecting said motor'and said pump comprising a split tube formed of 'arolled-up sheet of metal surrounding said .bosses and supporting :said motor on said pump, clamps surrounding said split tube where it engages said cylindrical bosses, each clamp comprising a strap encircling the split tube having its ends turned out and apertured to form means for receiving a clamping bolt, and there being stiffening ribs integral with said straps extending between the adjacent edges of said turned-out portion and said straps.

2. In a sump pump including an impeller housing having a drive motor connected therewith by a drive shaft, the combination of a cylindrical boss depending from said motor, a'cylindrical boss projecting upwardly from said pump "housing, a tubular pedestal enclosing said drive shaft and supporting said-motor in'fixed relation with said pump housing, the opposite ends of said pedestal being received closelyover said boss on said pump housing and said motor respectively, a pair of clamps of strap configuration each encircling the major portion of one end of said pedestal and said boss received therein, means forsecuring the-ends I of eachsaid clamp together in clamping relation withthe associated said tube end and'boss .to establisha rigid interconnection between said pedestal and both .of said bosses, and .an annular strainer including a lower rim portion adapted to seat on saidhousing and an upper rim portion slidably embracing said pedestal above the lower said clamp to strain the liquid reaching said lower clamp and the interior of said housing and being movable upwardly along said pedestal to-expose said lower clamp for release.

References-Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 552,158 Wallingford Dec. '31, 1895 740,221 Blackman Sept. 29, 1903 1,648,541 (Shockley Nov. '8, 1927 1,801,103 Mummert Apr. 14, 1931 1,883,266 Yoder Oct. 18, 1932 2,121,299 Peters June 21, 1938 2,294,135 Smith Aug. 25, 1942 2,408,909 Brummer Oct. 8, 1946 2,417,197 Hewitt et a1 Mar. 11, 1947 2,525,370 Pollack -Oct. 10, 1950 2,625,883 Howser Jan. 20, -3

FOREIGN PATENTS 651,619 Great Britain "Apr. 4, 1951 OTHER REFERENCES Serial No. 320,217, Schmidt (A. P. C.-), published May 25, .1943. 

